Congresswoman Tenney Joins with Local Officials to Cut Ribbon for Rome Lab’s New Perimeter Fence

Rome, NY – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) today attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Visitor Control Center at the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate, also known as Rome Lab. This center includes a state-of-the-art perimeter fence to enhance Rome Lab’s security posture and better protect its workforce.

Congresswoman Tenney led the charge to advocate in Congress for federal funding to construct the perimeter fence and successfully secured an authorization of $14.2 million as part of the fiscal year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. During the 115th Congress, Tenney testified before the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military, Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies in support of the fence and later submitted written testimony to the House Armed Services Committee highlighting the need for enhanced perimeter security.

“Rome Lab drives our local economy as well as our nation’s cutting-edge research and development in so many different fields. After aggressive advocacy to secure the funding for the perimeter fence, it was my honor to join with members of our community and the Rome Lab workforce to cut the ribbon on this project,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “This day was almost a decade in the making, but through our efforts and the hard work of so many at the state and local levels, we were able to finally get the job done. This new perimeter security system will add the necessary protection needed so personnel at Rome Lab can continue their groundbreaking research in a safe and secure environment.”

In addition to Congresswoman Tenney, Rome Mayor Jackie Izzo, Senator Joe Griffo, and Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon were in attendance. They were joined by Rome Lab’s senior leadership, including AFRL Director Colonel Fred Garcia, Former AFRL Director Dr. Don Hanson, and U.S. Army Corps Engineer Mr. Kyle Davis.

The new fence and control center comply with Department of Defense (DOD) antiterrorism protection requirements. The site security fence around the perimeter of Rome Lab is equipped with associated lighting, video surveillance, card-controlled personnel entry access gates, and visitor control entry point to mitigate physical security threats to the installation.

Last year, Rome Lab was designated as the Quantum Information Science Research Center for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, an exciting new development for the region that will provide Rome Lab with access to new fiscal year 2020 funds that were granted under the Defense Quantum Information Science Research and Development Program. This important development further underscores Rome Lab’s importance to the region and the need for increased security.

Additional photos from the event are available here.

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